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Clinical
9.
Dystocia in a rothschild giraffe at the African
fund for endangered wildlife, Nairobi, Kenya -
T D Kaitho, C K Limo , B Rono, E M Ndambiri
Vet World. 2011; 4(12): 565-568
doi: 10.5455/vetworld.2011.565-568
Abstract
A 15-year old female Rothschild Giraffe (Giraffa
camelopardalis rothschildi) weighing approximately
800kg, at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife
(AFEW), Giraffe Center, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya
was presented with dystocia in June 2010. This
giraffe named Laura, had a protracted labor and
was regularly monitored by sanctuary education
staff. Dystocia was relieved on the 3rd day at
this wildlife sanctuary. The giraffe was
chemically immobilized by using 7mg of Etorphine
Hcl (0.98%) (M99®) (Norvatis South Africa (Pty)
Limited) and 50mg of Azaperone(10%) (Kyron
Laboratories (Pty) Limited, South Africa) in a
Dan-Inject dart (Dan-inject APS, Sellerup Skowej,
Denmark). On obstetrical examination of the
giraffe, a fetal malposition type of dystocia had
occurred. The fetus was positioned at posterior
presentation extended posture with tail butting on
the maternal pelvis, which is abnormal in
giraffes. The fetus was manually extracted by
using both alternate and simultaneous limb
traction. The dam survived the procedure and later
was reported to be in a good reproductive
condition but the male fetus was a stillbirth. The
fetus had died due to stress of prolonged labour.
Relief of dystocia in giraffes is a difficult
obstetrical procedure because obstetrical
examination and relief requires chemical
immobilization plus physical restrain with ropes
by trained staff. Anesthesia or immobilization of
giraffes remains a challenge because of the
giraffe's unique anatomy and physiology. Giraffes
are large animals which limits physical control
and manipulation at critical times during
induction and recovery of anesthesia. Giraffe's
long neck if not pinned to the ground will act as
a lever causing fatal injuries to self and support
staff. Giraffes develop elevated systolic blood
pressure; have a small respiratory tidal volume
with a large dead space and relatively small
cardiac output during anesthesia, which
compromises safe levels of anesthesia.
Keywords:
Giraffe, dystocia, manual extraction
